A new study has found four in five UK schools (79%) are yet to adopt smart ventilation systems, meaning the vast majority of education buildings continue to rely on outdated or insufficient ventilation contributing to elevated levels of CO₂ and other indoor pollutants.
The research also reveals that nearly one-third (29%) of schools do not have any carbon dioxide (CO₂) monitoring in classrooms, despite clear evidence that elevated CO₂ levels negatively affect pupil health, concentration, and learning outcomes.
The Smart Ventilation in Schools Report, conducted by indoor ventilation expert Airflow, reveals the state of air quality monitoring in schools across the UK. The survey gathered data from over 500 schools, revealing the barriers to smart ventilation uptake.
Government funding provides opportunity for ventilation investment
The issue of classroom air quality comes as both the Welsh and UK governments step up investment in school and college infrastructure. Wales has allocated £20 million this year for essential repairs, including heating and ventilation upgrades, with total maintenance funding now at £50 million for 2025-26.
In England, capital funding and retrofit schemes provide opportunities for schools to improve air quality alongside energy efficiency, with £470 million of capital funding through the Condition Improvement Fund for 2025-26, aimed at repair and maintenance projects including structural work, accessibility improvements and safety upgrades.
Smart ventilation uptake highest across academies and northern schools
The study found academies represent the largest share of schools with smart ventilation. 44% of schools with smart ventilation are academies, 33% are local authority maintained, and 22% are supported by multi-academy trusts; 44% are primary schools, 33% are secondary, and 22% are all-through schools.
The North currently leads in the uptake of smart ventilation, with just under half (44%) of schools with such systems located in northern regions, equally split between the North West and Yorkshire and the Humber (22% each).
London accounts for a third (33%) of schools with smart ventilation adoption, while the East Midlands and South East each account for 11%.
The findings highlight the growing need for reliable ventilation in schools, particularly in older buildings or energy-efficient structures where natural airflow is limited. Without adequate ventilation, CO₂ and other indoor pollutants can accumulate, leading to tiredness, headaches, difficulty concentrating, and reduced cognitive performance among pupils.
Barriers to smart ventilation implementation persist. Survey responses to air quality challenges included:
- Difficulty maintaining low CO₂ levels, particularly in the afternoons, even with monitoring and temporary use of air purifiers
- Lack of budget for improvements
- Overreliance on natural ventilation
- Older schools often lack modern ventilation technology or building management systems
- Seasonal factors, such as summer heat in unairconditioned buildings, and operational constraints like closed external doors for safeguarding affect airflow
Alan Siggins, Managing Director of Airflow, said:
Air quality in classrooms is not a facilities issue, but a public health and education priority. Poor ventilation impacts learning, teacher wellbeing, and pupil performance, with more needing to be done to improve health and outcomes alike.
Every classroom should have carbon dioxide monitoring in place so schools can identify problems early and act on them. But monitoring alone is not enough. Schools also need to invest in smart ventilation solutions, both in new buildings and retrofit projects, that deliver a reliable source of fresh air while using energy efficiently.
Ventilation must be considered at the earliest stages of school design and refurbishment, and decision-makers need a clearer understanding that cooling does not equal clean air. By prioritising air quality alongside temperature control and energy efficiency in health and safety policies, schools can create healthier environments that genuinely support learning and wellbeing.
